Menstrual Disorders Among Female Undergraduate Students at Bayero University Kano

Menstrual disorders including dysmenorrhoea, irregular cycles, and heavy menstrual bleeding are common among young women and significantly impair academic performance and quality of life, yet they remain underreported and under-managed in Nigerian university student populations. This study assesses the prevalence, types, and impact of menstrual disorders among female undergraduate students at Bayero University Kano (BUK), Kano State, North West Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study enrolled 300 female students aged 16 to 25 years from five faculties through stratified random sampling. A self-administered structured questionnaire covered menstrual cycle characteristics, type of disorder experienced, severity of symptoms, impact on academic activities, and treatment-seeking behaviour. Dysmenorrhoea was the most prevalent disorder (68 percent), followed by irregular cycles (32 percent) and premenstrual syndrome (44 percent). Heavy menstrual bleeding was reported by 21 percent. Seventy-three percent of students with dysmenorrhoea reported missing classes or examinations during severe episodes. Only 28 percent had sought medical attention, with self-medication with analgesics being the dominant response. The study demonstrates that menstrual disorders impose a significant academic and health burden on BUK female students, yet professional care-seeking remains low. Recommendations include menstrual health education programmes on campus, accessible campus clinic gynaecological services, and destigmatisation of menstrual health discussions in university health promotion activities. Keywords: dysmenorrhoea, menstrual disorders, undergraduate students, Bayero University Kano, reproductive health